If you have little, or no sense, of the whereabouts of this enchanting valley and the special qualities of its bounding ridges – you’ll not be alone. I really must encourage you to make time for a fell-roving visit: the walk is a delightful combination of scenery, gathering up a string of little summits before delving into the secretive green strath of Borrowdale, located in the Lake District’s ‘lost’ south-eastern quarter.

An exhilarating climb via Dungeon Ghyll onto Loft Crag culminating on the majestic rock stack summit of Pike o’Stickle. Descending via Martcrag Moor and Langdale Combe to join the Cumbria Way’s steep zig zag descent into Mickleden; Completing the trek with ease along the flat-bottomed valley passing the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.

Tackling the two most northerly summits of the Helvellyn range, the walk crosses the Glenderamakin Gap to investigate the British Settlement site before climbing onto Clough Head via Threlkeld Knotts. The open sickle-shaped ridge sweeps down to Calfhow Pike then climbs onto the bare top of Great Dodd. Dipping off the north-eastern slope via Randerside, it veers off the ridge path to skirt Wolf Crags and down to the Old Coach Road at Mariel Bridge, at the foot of Mosedale. Journeying back to Hausewell Brow, to retrace the outwalk, Blencathra, ever more impressive, drenched by the golden light of the evening.

Founded upon the Walna Scar Road visiting The Cove, Goat’s Water and Goat’s Hause. Climb to the impressive rock bastion of Dow Crag before striding south over the subsidiary tops of Buck and Brown Pikes then descend to track down the Walna Scar Road. With time in hand, some walkers may be tempted to gather up the three tops of the continuing Walna Scar ridge, the actual summit plus White Maiden and White Pike, all three excellent viewpoints in their own right.

My good friend Geoff Bland, who has climbed this magnificent mountain every year since 1956 and recently wandered up alone to celebrate his seventy-fifth birthday, calls it Grosse Gabelhorn. I think he picked up on the quip from his old chum Des Oliver, from the Keswick Mountaineering Club, who in turn has climbed a peak by this name in the Swiss Alps. I love the flamboyant inflection.

Outdoor writer Mark Richards highlights the concern for a new wind farm being proposed within half a mile of our the Lake District National Park.  A cause for the OFC to really get their teeth into and make a big, big noise about.  Berrier Hill Wind Farm, if not resisted, will become the first link in a steel noose that will tighten around the National Park.  Should we as fellwalkers and Lakeland 'users' not fight this latest threat to the landscape we so cherish?  Mark discusses the issue in his latest correspondence piece.

To many Ullswater is the most scenic of all the lakes. It has the air of a mighty fjord snaking in a succession of reaches, from no one point is there a holistic view. At each of its turns comes a wholly new perspective to adore. Place Fell rises solidly to the east of the water-head community of Patterdale. Its high rugged sides and its eastward curving shore the basis of the upper two reaches of the lake. Passengers on the lake-long steamer cruises may gaze most intently at the high fells to the west, notably St Sunday Crag on their upstream journey.

The North-western Fells divide neatly upon New-lands Hause, from where the shapely mass of Robinson handsomely dominates, enhanced by the fuming presence of Moss Force. The road wending up the Newlands valley draws over the considerable slope of Rowling End bound for Keskadale and catches a glimpse right of an impressive razor edge looming over Rigg Beck. This ridge, which includes the summits Knott Rigg and Ard Crags combines beautifully with Robinson to make an entertaining skyline horseshoe.

Skiddaw is a much-loved landmark fell, a Munro firth of Scotland. The cornerstone of the northern Lakes, revered down the generations by native and tourist alike as a gracious backdrop, particularly to views from Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite. It is a massif in its own right, with a company of supporting fells leading to an remotely sited summit.